Letter: The machine' does not tolerate differing opinions

I was impressed by the essay written by Ed Fisher in Monday’s issue. I do not personally know many people who have worked in government, and those of us who have, are often vilified.

What Mr. Fisher described in his essay is true. I worked for the federal government for 17 years (HHS/CDC). I had a wonderful and upwardly mobile career path. During 2002-03, I encountered a supervisor who (blatantly) sexually harassed me. My subsequent complaint was found “with merit”. For the next several years, I was persecuted by those above me who should have defended me. My offender was protected by his supervisor. This was very much like the assaults occurring against women in the U.S. military. I wrote a satirical essay (comparing fat people to smokers) in 2008, which I sent to the CDC “Executive Leadership Board”. I place this title in quotes because my opinion is that if institutions of authority cannot handle dissenting points of view, they need to reconsider what leadership means.

No matter the circumstances, the “machine” does not tolerate differing opinions.